The Queensland Government has announced the first of a series of Draft Guidelines to help in the reconstruction of Far North Queensland following the destruction caused by Cyclone Yasi in February will be released to the public at a community meeting in Tully Heads Community Centre on Wednesday, 20th April.

 

The Draft Guideline, titled Rebuilding in storm tide prone areas – Tully Heads/ Hull Heads, are designed to help Queenslander's living in cyclone prone areas of the state rebuild their homes and businesses to be more resilient to future flooding and cyclones.

 

The Draft Guideline was developed with input from the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station, the CSIRO, the Office of the Government Architect, the Australian Institute of Architects, GHD and the Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

 

The following considerations will be brought up at the Tully Heads meeting:

  • Raising the height of houses to give storm surge water a path to flow under the floor structure
  • Using robust and impact resistant construction materials for example replace metal sheeting with timber cladding
  • Relocating water tanks and sheds to ensure they will not wash into a structure during a storm surge
  • In raised homes, ensuring any sub-floor structures or walls allow for water to flow through
  • Consideration of storm shutters for all openings
  • Ensuring structural columns and bracings are built to withstand impacts from large objects.

 

The Draft Guideline, Rebuilding in storm tide prone areas – Tully Heads/ Hull Heads, is the first in a series of Guidelines that will be developed for north and far north Queensland.

 

The Guidelines will firstly focus on immediate advice for residents affected by Yasi, but the work being done by the Reconstruction Authority and its partners will have broader relevance to all Queensland residents in cyclone prone regions.